(no subject)

[young_tmriddle]

Ah, just when I think I can go away, here come Tonks and Aziraphale to break my heart into leeetle tiny pieces. You guys have great repartee. Love love love.

A quick question: I have seen Aziraphale and Aziraphael - is this a US/UK book edition difference? Cos for the US edition it's -ale. I just want to make sure I'm spelling it correctly for the Milliways crowd :)

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

*blushes* Awww, shucks. Thanks. :)

I've wondered about the spelling thing myself. I can train myself to do -ael if it's proper.

[anthy-rosebride.livejournal.com]

I'm think I remember reading that Pratchett and Gaiman started out with Aziraphael, but kept saying 'Aziraphale' and so decided to go with that.

Yeah, yeah, I'm great with the reliable source thing.

[miscellanny.livejournal.com]

Apparently Gneil wanted -phael, and Pterry agreed in theory but "mundaned" it.

I just happen to prefer -phael, and I'm stubborn. *g* I can give in if you mind, I suppose... *g*

[clumsy_auror]

Nah, I think we can continue to do both. It can be like all those other British-isms I'm not spelling properly, like "color."

[miscellanny.livejournal.com]

*takes brief moment to squee at your Tonks*

*has a small crush*

*g*

[clumsy_auror]

*blushes again* Oh, well, I think she's got a RAGING crush on both the angel and the demon...which has seriously interesting, not to mention Fall-inducing, implications. So we probably shouldn't go there. *g*

And you -- you ANGST SO WELL!

[clumsy_auror]

*dies* Oh, the poem...Tonks is clean gone on you, now.

[young_tmriddle]

I totally concur with my fellow American-playing-a-British-character who can't remember to spell things with extra u's. We are Britspell impaired ;)

[surexit.livejournal.com]

Jesus, I've just realised I've not been spelling American. Bugger.

watch_wait

[mnt_raph]

So that's how it's pronounced.
I've been trying to figure that out for years.
Admittedly, not trying that hard, but trying none the less.

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

From the Annotated Pratchett File, Good Omens (http://www.co.uk.lspace.org/books/apf/good-omens.html):

On the subject of the correct pronunciation of the name, Terry says:

"It should be Azz-ear-raf-AE-el, but we got into the habit of pronouncing it Azz-ear-raf-ail, so I guess that's the right way now."

And about the name's origin:

"It was made up but... er... from real ingredients. [The name] Aziraphale could be shoved in a list of 'real' angels and would fit right in..."

For instance, Islam recognizes the Archangels Jibril, Mikhail, Azrael (see also the annotation for p. 7/9 of Reaper Man ), and Israfel (whom Edgar Allan Poe wrote a well-known poem about), whereas from Christianity we get such names as Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, and Uriel.

[miscellanny.livejournal.com]

Ooooh.

*officially impressed*

Thanks. *g*

[surexit.livejournal.com]

Oh, I understand now. It's been confusing me so much.

watch_wait